Lionel Messi sets out key demands to Barcelona over new contract

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi appears increasingly likely to commit his future to the club with a new contract, rather than leave as a free agent at the end of his current deal this summer. But the six-time Ballon d’Or is thought to have made a list of critical demands in order for that to happen.

Messi became so fed up with the worsening situation at Camp Nou last summer, peaking with an 8-2 humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich in the Champions League, that he attempted to invoke a clause in his contract allowing him to leave as a free agent.

Barça also suffered their worst La Liga season since 2007/08, had continued to go backwards in the Champions League with only one trip to the final since 2011, and crippling club finances have been spiralling out of control with debt rising to over €1bn.

But despite his determination to leave last summer, which was blocked by the regime led by ex-president Josep Maria Bartomeu, Messi opted to make a fresh decision at the end of this season instead. A new hierarchy recently assumed power following a delayed election, with Joan Laporta returning as president and bringing the chance of a new start.

Messi could still leave Camp Nou as a free agent in June, but Laporta has long been confident that a new deal will be agreed and signs increasingly point that way – one of the main reasons Manchester City are rumoured to have ended their pursuit is a belief that Messi is edging towards a renewal and it would be a waste of their time to try and convince him otherwise.

But a new contract is no guarantee and Eurosport has reported that Messi, who turns 34 before next season, is seeking key assurances from Barcelona’s new hierarchy before he commits to anything.

All are based on furthering the club’s sporting prospects and none focus on money, which is likely to be less important to Messi at this stage of his career, having earned so much already.

It is said that Messi wants assurances that Barça will have a ‘competitive squad’ and a sensible recruitment strategy moving forward. The club has been heavily criticised in recent years for massively overspending on players such as Ousmane Dembele, Philippe Coutinho and Antoine Griezmann without really considering a more holistic or long-term approach.

Instead, Messi wants to see ‘astute’ signings and at least one ‘marquee’. With regard to the latter, the club has entered talks with Mino Raiola to assess the feasibility of signing Erling Haaland.

It is also said that Messi wants to see a renewed dedication to youth development and placing faith in graduates from La Masia. That is something that Barça were renowned for at their peak in 2011, but was arguably lost in the latter 2010s as focus turned more to unsustainable spending.

In addition, Messi is reported to want more ‘open communication’ with head coach Ronald Koeman and Barça’s hierarchy. It is said that he found former coaches Luis Enrique and Quique Setien to be unapproachable and has enjoyed a better relationship with Koeman and would also like to have a direct line with technical secretary Ramon Planes and returning president Laporta.

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